IBC Chair

Advancements in the biological sciences prompted the promulgation of federal regulations designed to safeguard national security. Federal regulations define the processes institutions must implement to ensure investigator safety and protect the environment and the public. This module introduces learners to the overall biosafety program structure and the primary regulations and guidelines that apply to biosafety programs. Learners then explore the role of the IBC chair, the chair’s ideal qualifications, and how the chair helps to harmonize research oversight and maintain relationships with other biosafety program leaders.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20777 (English)
Author(s): William Greer, BS, CPIA, LAT, CM - University of Michigan

The IBC chair leads biosafety program initiatives, which aim to provide investigators the opportunity to conduct safe, quality research that has the potential to add to society’s general knowledge and improve the quality of human life. Research institutions have an ethical obligation to lead the charge in establishing best practices for containing hazardous materials within the laboratory and managing associated waste in a manner that protects the environment and public health. In this module, learners review the primary roles of an IBC chair and explore the types of hazards an institution may oversee through its IBC. The module concludes with an examination of the applicability of the primary regulations and guidance documents and current best practices for biosafety programs.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20778 (English)
Author(s): William Greer, BS, CPIA, LAT, CM - University of Michigan

The IBC is the cornerstone of an institution’s biosafety program. The National Institutes of Health Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines) grant its authority. The IBC formalizes the partnership between the institution and governing agencies such as the NIH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by serving as the intermediary. The IBC fulfills these responsibilities by establishing a system of governance that includes reviewing proposed research activities, considering the associated risks, and ensuring the research is performed in a manner that minimizes societal threats. This module reviews the importance of transparency and open records requirements and goals and provides learners with an overview of how to prepare for and run an IBC meeting. The module concludes with a review of how to facilitate the protocol review process.

Recommended Use: Required
ID (Language): 20779 (English)
Author(s): William Greer, BS, CPIA, LAT, CM - University of Michigan